Phuket News
Phuket news, politics, business, tourism, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s top island destination. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Phuket news source.
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Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, known for its affordable living, lively culture, and modern facilities. With its warm climate, great food, and friendly communities, it's an ideal place for remote workers to balance work and travel. However,...
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British man’s death in Phuket leaves family searching for answers
The heartbroken family of a British man is desperately seeking the truth after his body washed ashore a Phuket beach. The body of Regan Kelly was discovered on Saturday, January 5, floating in the sea off a Thai beach. The 28 year old South London man’s body was discovered naked and face down merely hours after he was seen dashing…
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Kazakh man reports Phuket investment scam run by Ukrainian and Thai men
A Kazakh businessman filed a complaint with the Phuket Governor after being tricked by Ukrainian and Thai men into investing in a real estate project in the province. However, he has not received any profits from the investment. The Kazakh victim, Takhir, initially reported the investment scam to Choeng Thale Police Station. He and his legal team subsequently met with the Phuket Governor,…
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Ruble ruckus: Russian suspect nabbed in Phuket hotel heist
Police yesterday arrested one of two Russian suspects for stealing approximately US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) in cash from a fellow countryman at a hotel in Phuket on Sunday, January 5. The 31 year old Russian victim, Zelimkhan Iusupov, rushed to Karon Police Station at around 3.30am on Sunday after being physically assaulted and robbed by one of the suspects, later identified…
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PM Paetongtarn to inaugurate International Boat Show in Phuket
Phuket is bracing for a high-profile visit as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra lands on the island tomorrow, January 9 to tackle critical local issues and boost tourism. With an ambitious agenda in tow, the 38 year old PM is set to chair key meetings and launch a glamorous luxury lifestyle event, according to the Phuket Public Relations Department. Touching down…
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British family mourns tragic holiday heartbreak in Thailand
A British family are reeling from the heartbreaking loss of a family member who met a tragic end in a motorbike crash while holidaying in Thailand. Corey Beavis, a “larger than life” young man from Barry, South Wales, died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, January 4, in Phuket. The crash has left his 28 year old twin brother Liam,…
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Foreign woman allegedly assaults Thai woman over seat dispute at Phuket airport
A Thai woman is seeking justice after an alleged physical assault by a foreign woman during a dispute over a seat at Phuket International Airport. The 22 year old Thai woman, whose name has not been disclosed, shared her story with the Phuket Times yesterday, January 6. The incident occurred on the night of January 3 in Phuket Airport’s boarding lounge…
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Ruble trouble: Russian tourist robbed and roughed up in Phuket
A Russian man is seeking justice after a fellow countryman physically assaulted him and stole approximately US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) from him at a hotel in Phuket. The theft reportedly had ties to the victim’s rival. The Russian victim, 31 year old Zelimkhan Iusupov, filed a complaint at Karon Police Station today, January 6, following the theft, which occurred at a…
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Kuwaiti tourist faces charges after drunken tantrum in Phuket
A violent outburst by a Kuwaiti tourist at Karon Beach, Phuket, resulted in multiple charges after he assaulted locals and caused public disorder on January 3. It was reported that he was heavily intoxicated at the time. The Kuwaiti tourist, later identified as 26 year old Ali Ashkanani, was detained following reports of aggressive behaviour near Karon Beach. Several residents…
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Foreigner dies in Phuket motorbike crash after losing control
A tragic accident occurred in Phuket yesterday morning, December 4, resulting in the death of a foreign man who lost control of his motorbike and crashed into a guardrail in Kathu. The incident took place on Wichit Songkhram Road, with local police responding to the scene around 7.30am. Upon arrival, Kathu Police and rescue workers found a severely damaged Honda…
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Grim discovery: Tourist found dead off Patong Beach
Holidaymakers were left in shock yesterday, January 3, as police launched an investigation into the death of a foreign tourist found floating lifelessly off Patong Beach in the morning. The grim discovery was made near the iconic Dolphin Circle at approximately 10am yesterday. Traiphop Buakhai, a local parasail speedboat operator, was the first to notice the tragic scene—a body face…
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Phuket boosts marine safety with smart pier inspection
Phuket Vice Governor Ronnarong Tipsiri spearheaded an inspection at Ao Por Pier in Pa Khlok yesterday, January 2, as part of efforts to enhance marine safety and instil confidence among tourists during the busy new year season. Joining him were officials from both government and private sectors, who evaluated the safety protocols and the ongoing transformation of the pier into…
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Foreign men attack Phuket taxi driver over fare dispute (video)
A viral video showed two foreign men attacking a Thai taxi driver outside a supermarket in Phuket, allegedly over a fare dispute. Several Facebook news pages in Phuket shared the video of the physical assault today, December 3. In the video, one of the two foreign men, both wearing white T-shirts, is seen kicking the taxi driver, who was standing…
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Out of luck: Lottery scammer busted at Phuket fair
A brazen fraudster tried her luck at scamming thousands of revellers at Phuket’s new year fair—only to find herself caught red-handed by police in the early hours of the morning today, January 2. Phuket City Police swooped in on 45 year old Kritporn Butlo near the central stage of the Saphan Hin Good Things fair around 12.30am. The suspect was…
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Phuket ushers in new year with traditional almsgiving ceremony
Phuket officials marked the new year with a traditional almsgiving ceremony, drawing prominent figures and residents from across the province. The event took place yesterday morning outside the Government Savings Bank on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town, setting the tone for a year filled with aspirations for unity and prosperity. The ceremony began at 6am, featuring offerings of food…
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Thai-foreign couple lose 3 million baht in Phuket home robbery
A Thai woman and her foreign husband in Phuket sought help from the police after losing 3 million baht in cash and gold during a home robbery on New Year’s Eve, December 31. The local news Facebook page Phuket Hotnews reported the robbery yesterday, January 1. The theft reportedly occurred in a village on Soi Nayai in the Chalong sub-district,…
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Phuket horror: Tourist bludgeoned by rider over route dispute (video)
A Norwegian tourist’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare when he was viciously attacked by a ride-hailing driver in Phuket. The shocking incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 30, left the tourist battered and bruised, sparking a heated debate about passenger safety. A Thai woman, 44 year old Thanatphon Khongcharoen, accompanied her friend, 57 year old…
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Phuket family returns home to theft of 1 million baht safe
A family in Phuket faced an unexpected start to the new year when they returned home from celebrations to discover their house had been burglarised. A safe containing 1 million baht, gold bars, gold necklaces, and passports had been stolen. Police are actively pursuing the case, aiming to recover the stolen items and apprehend the culprits. The incident was reported…
Phuket is a province in the south of Thailand. Phuket's beaches face the Andaman Sea allowing the west coast beaches fantastic sunsets right throughout the year. If you're looking for news in Phuket, go to thethaiger.com/phuket Or follow our instant news in our Facebook pages.
The good news is that Phuket is famous for its foodie scene with an enormously diverse range of local and international foods - Phuket and southern favorites, street food along with international choices catering for the 12 million visitors to the island each year. Thaiger follows Phuket news and information 24 hours a day with regular updates.
Phuket is only 'just' an island with a 300 metre bridge linking it to Thailand's mainland. We're always reporting in the news that the channel beneath is frequently dredged to maintain Phuket's status as an island. On the other side of Sarasin Bridge is the Province of Phang Nga.
Getting to Phuket is easy as the island has land, air and sea connections. Phuket is also used as a take-off point for local island trips as Thailand's largest island is surrounded by over 30 pristine islands. Koh Phi Phi and the famous Maya Bay are always in the news and would be the best known of the island's just off Phuket's shores.
Phuket is an island and a province. It's the largest island in Thailand – 48 km north to south, 21 km east to west.
It's about 20% smaller, in area, than Singapore but much less densely populated. Whilst the island nation of Singapore boasts a population of nearly 6 million, Phuket has a permanent population of around 400-450,000 (but varies a lot with the influx of tourists and a workforce that is always changing). Most of Phuket remains jungle and tropical rainforest despite an acceleration of development over the past 20 years.
Unlike some of Thailand's other popular islands (that are in the Gulf of Thailand), the news is that Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea.
Phuket is 878 km north of the equator.
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